Sheriff Pohlmann supports fund-raising effort for Crimestoppers, which has partnered with realtors group for Sept. 22 road race on Canal Street in N.O.

Darlene Cusanza, President and CEO of Crimestoppers Inc. which offers rewards for tips to solve crimes, announces a Sept. 22 foot race on Canal Street to help the group raise $50,000 to make up funding cuts. Behind her are numerous law enforcement officials, including Sheriff James Pohlmann, who support the effort, as well as New Orleans city officials, a crime victim’s mother and representatives of the Saints and from the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors which has donated $10,500 to cover costs of the race.

Sheriff James Pohlmann with Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman at the Crimestoppers news conference July 13.

Alkima Williamson, whose 7-year-old daughter was killed by a stray bullet as the child slept in her bed, spoke at the news conference about the importance of supporting Crimestoppers, which received a tip which led to an arrest in her daughter’s killing,

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann was among law enforcement and business leaders as well the New Orleans Saints’ Zack Streif who gave support July 13 to fund-raising efforts for Crimestoppers Inc., the non-profit which has helped solve 12,000 crimes in 30 years by offering rewards for tips.

Crimestoppers, headed by President and CEO Darlene Cusanza, is partnering with a realtors group for a 5-K road race Sept. 22 on Canal Street to try to raise $50,000. The money would make up for national and state funding cuts that threaten the group’s youth crime prevention programs and student leadership programs, Cusanza said.

Pohlmann, who was among several who spoke at a news conference including Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro and Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman, said, “We are a big supporter of Crimestoppers,’’ which has received many tips that have helped solve crimes in St. Bernard, he said.

The sheriff endorsed the idea of businesses sponsoring the Sept. 22 foot race on Canal Street to help raise money for Crimestoppers and a new program whereby the public can make a pledge in memory of a crime victim. Crimestoppers can be reached at 837-8477.

Pohlmann said, “We are fortunate to have a safe community’’ in St. Bernard and appreciate the help Crimestoppers gives to keep it that way. “We are in this with them for the long haul.’’

Law enforcement officials from the U.S. Marshal’s Office, State Police, New Orleans Police, Kenner Police, Covington Police and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office also took part in the news conference.

Also, Alkima Williaomson, whose 7-year-old daughter, Paige Dejean, was killed by a stray bullet that came through a wall as she slept in her bed, urged people to help raise money for Crimestoppers. An arrest in the girl’s death was made based on a tip to the non-profit group,

The Canal Street Race for Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans will also feature a one-mile fun-run/walk with a chance for donors to back teams fielded by local police, fire and paramedic departments.

“Crimestoppers could not do its job in protecting our citizens without the hard work of our dedicated law enforcement and first responders,” Cusanza said at a news conference on Friday at the group’s Metairie office.

“In order to show our community’s appreciation for their service, we will have an opportunity for citizens to pledge their support behind their favorite law enforcement or first responders’ race team.”

The Commercial Investment Division of the New Orleans Metropolitan Realtors’ Association as well as the group’s national parent organization has pledged $10,500 to sponsor the costs of the race, Cusanza said. For more information, CID President Frann Ryan can be reached at 504.872.0406.

Realtors will be involved in trying to raise $50,000 in additional money from local businesses. Officials of the realtors group said they challenge trade groups and corporations to do what they can to help Crimestoppers do their job of trying to prevent crime and offer rewards for tips to solve individual acts of crime.

The race, open to the public, will start at the foot of Canal Street, continue north to Galvez Street and double back downtown for a post-race party at the finish line, Cusanza said.

For more information about the race and sponsorship opportunities, contact Cusanza at [email protected] or 504.837.8477 and Nell Carmichael at [email protected] or 504.274.0704.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors has donated $10,500 to sponsor costs of the Canal Street race. “There are some things that threaten our growth (as a community), and we thought one of the main things is crime, particularly violent crime,” realtors committee Chairman Jim Stratton said.

“We’ve recognized, certainly, that rebuilding this community and giving back to this community is as important a job as winning football games for us,” New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Zach Streif said.